Hickory police are turning Wednesday night at the ballpark into a meet-and-greet with a K9 demonstration, a patrol-car showdown and a little baseball on the side. National Night Out will bring local officers and other first responders to L.P. Frans Stadium before the Crawdads face Augusta, giving families a chance to see the people—and some of the equipment—behind public safety.
According to a Monday post from Hickory Police Department - Official, the event begins at 5 p.m., with stadium gates opening at 6 p.m. and the Crawdads' game against the Augusta GreenJackets starting at 7 p.m. People 13 and older will need to purchase game tickets, while children 12 and under will receive a free ticket, meal voucher and pass to the amusements.
The City of Hickory says patrol vehicles from participating local departments will be parked outside the stadium. HPD's Special Operations Team, K9 Unit, Criminal Investigations Division and Drone Unit will be on hand to answer questions about their work. Attendees can also vote for the best patrol car, with the winner announced during the game.
Pregame Vehicles, K9 Demonstration And Fan Participation
The Hickory Crawdads' official game listing calls National Night Out one of Wednesday's highlights and encourages fans to arrive early for the vehicle display in front of the Winkler Park playground. It is a chance to meet officers before the first pitch, rather than trying to spot them from the stands after the seventh-inning stretch.
During the game, HPD plans an on-field K9 demonstration along with contests and other events in which fans may be invited to participate, the city says. Questions about the event can be directed to Master Police Officer Josh Null at [email protected].
